“I just love the rush and the challenges of the game,” Sydney told New Jersey 101.5 guest hosts Michele Pilenza and Jeff Edelstein when she called into the station last month. “I love making new experiences."

Her father, Scott Phillips, told New Jersey 101.5 that even after taking the matter up with school officials and their supervisors at the Archdiocese of Newark, he was simply told: “Boys play with boys, and girls play with girls.”

“I’ve asked, if it’s your policy, show it to me in writing. Nowhere, from the school to the archdiocese, have they done that,” he said.

He said school officials have told him they’re worried Sydney could get hurt.

“I told them it happens. She broke her thumb playing soccer. That’s a risk you take with sports,” he said.